Samaldas Parmananddas
Gen 3 - 1828-1884 CE (56 years)
The youngest son of Parmananddas, Samaldas (pronounced Shamaldas), as the next Diwan of Bhavnagar brought laurels to the State of Bhavnagar under British India.
The college built in 1885 in his memory by Maharaja Takhtsinhji is the third institute in Western India.
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Scholar of Sanskrit, Brijbhasha and Persian
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Began as revenue officer, then appointed magistrate under Maharaja Wajehsinhji in Bhavnagar State. His maternal uncle (mama), Gaurishankar Oza, was the Diwan of the State (who also helped establish Rajkumar College at Rajkot).
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As chief judge, played a major role in establishment of civil and criminal courts
- Appointed as Diwan by Maharaja Takhtsinhji
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Stood his ground and turned back spurious accusations against Maharaja Jashwantsinhji by the Political Agents and Police Superintendent of Ahmedabad
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Helped start the first school for girls, the first-ever self-financed one by a Maharaja in British India
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Helped establish railways in Kathiawad region, a hospital in Bhavnagar, and expansion of Rajkumar College in Rajkot
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Opposed the Bombay Government for retaining control of the salt-works in Western India
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Introduced significant reforms like the right of land ownership, improved land and sea-customs, and also built water-storage tanks in villages and towns of the State
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The British Government declared Bhavnagar as "the best governed Native State in Western India."
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Received the village of Jalalpur as a gift from the Maharaja
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Samaldas College was established in 1885 by Maharaja Takhtsinhji in memory of his able friend and Diwan (Some notable alumni: Mohandas K. Gandhi, political leader and Harilal J. Kania - the first Chief Justice of India)
